Charlotte Harbor

Three areas along the Peace River, seen here winding through a forest near Charley Creek, were added to the bi-annual list due to the presence of bacteria showinfg the water is exposed to human feces

Environment

Bacteria marking human waste is top reason Southwest Florida creeks and bays are on new list of polluted waters

Tom Bayles

The FDEP found 41 areas in state waters exceeded polluttion limits in Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties alone

Want to put a 5-acre clam restoration project in Pine Island Sound

Environment

Restoration effort would allow nonprofit to spread more than one million clams off Pine Island

Tom Bayles

The nonprofit believes shellfish aquaculture can clean and restore Southwest Florida’s estuaries and help invigorate its coastal economies

For those with waterfront property or a favorite beach they visit frequently, shorelines and the barrier islands they're on are one of the areas that often need help to quickly recover from major storms with beach renourishment, or adding sand to the eroded shoreline, being a common tactic

Environment

SWFL summit focuses on helping nature bounce back after an environmental body blow

Tom Bayles

Planning for, and recovering from, things that pushed wetlands, beaches, rivers, and other natural systems beyond that ability to quickly bounce back is the focus of the sixth annual Southwest Florida Resiliency Summit Southwest Florida Resiliency Summit in Punta Gorda.

Pepper Uchino, president of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, said at the group's annual conference that his industry has learned that changing temperatures mean that dredging firms can no longer take only the sandy portion of the beach into account when rebuilding the shoreline. Increased flooding, some coming from the land-side summer afternoon thunderstorms, can dump far more rain since the temperature is higher and the air can carry more water. He said this means the design of the dune system must be taken into account, too.

Environment

Conferences: Safety in communities tomorrow relies on building resiliency today

Tom Bayles

The resiliency being discussed all week is measured by the preparedness of Florida’s communities to face the environmental calamities that come with climate change

The Coastal Conservation Association Florida partnered with Ingman Marine, Abbott Construction, Lee Reefs, Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA), Capt. Jay Withers, Clermont Oyster Bar and Lake County to carry out the deployment of four tons of recycled oyster shells for the Turtle Bay Oyster Reef in Charlotte Harbor on Thursday.

Environment

Four tons of recycled oyster shells placed at Turtle Bay Oyster Reef

WGCU Staff

Four dump truck loads of recycled oyster shells were deposited in Charlotte Harbor Thursday as part of the Turtle Bay Oyster Reef project.

Microcystis, a type of cyanobacteria commonly called blue-green algae seen here under high magnification, are well-known for forming harmful algal blooms in Florida lakes, rivers, and estuaries, including Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River. These blooms often appear as fluorescent green surface scum and can produce toxins that can pose health risks to humans and animals. Microcystis blooms are common in warm, nutrient-rich freshwater environments in Florida, especially during summer, but can occur year-round

Environment

Blue-green algae in Charlotte Harbor spurs health advisory; more of both certain to come

Tom Bayles

Microcystis, a type of cyanobacteria commonly called blue-green algae seen above under high magnification, can bloom in Florida freshwater systems. Microcystis species are well-known for forming harmful algal blooms in Florida lakes, rivers, and estuaries, including Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River. These blooms often appear as fluorescent green surface scums and can produce toxins that can pose health risks to humans and animals. Microcystis blooms are common in warm, nutrient-rich freshwater environments in Florida, especially during summer, but can occur year-round.

This is what it's all about for those who care about excellent water quality in a coastal bay or lagoon on Florida's Gulf Coast: Thick, lush seagrass meadows provide critical habitat for fish, crabs, shrimp, manatees, and sea turtles while also stabilizing shorelines and improving water clarity

Environment

Sarasota Bay’s sea grass population soars; setting benchmark for other marine reclamation efforts

Tom Bayles

Sarasota Bay managers have managed a rare win in sea grass health and recovery in lagoons and bay around the state.

Forty tons of recycled oyster shells being transported to Turtle Bay in Charlotte Harbor were later scooped into the water along an existing oyster reef restoration project that has benefits to the marine environment far beyond that to the oyster population

Recycled oyster shells placed in Charlotte's Turtle Bay: Clean water, larger oyster reef among the goals

Tom Bayles

Collecting, cleaning, and recycling clam and oyster shells to restore and create new reefs is a growing volunteer movement in Florida to enhance and protect coastal ecosystems, improve water quality, and protect shorelines from erosion

Fertilizer bans begin June 1

Tara Calligan

Doing less for your lawn in the summertime can play a part in preserving Florida waters. June 1 through September 30, three areas of Southwest Florida are asking residents to give their fertilizer routines a summer vacation for the sake of water quality.

Environment

SW Florida Conservation Priorities a Sign of Life for ‘Florida Forever’

John Davis

Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet approved a work plan in June that prioritizes several projects aimed at buying, conserving and managing…